I just uploaded a card about creating your own votive holder from clay. You can see it here. But while you're out getting supplies for that project, get enough for this one too because these clay coasters are too cute not to make, which you can use year-round.

Supplies Needed:

- oven bake clay

- clay knives or X-Acto knives

- nonstick mat and rolling pin

- clay glaze

- cork roll and glue gun (optional)

First you want to roll out all your colors of clay into strips that are about 1-1 1/2" wide and 1/4" thick. I like to use flat surfaces like acrylic rulers on each side of the clay to keep the thickness consistent. You could also use two equal stacks of playing cards.

Use your clay or X-Acto knives to cut your strips into various lengths and widths, and place them snugly side by side. Try to make the overall size a little smaller than you want your finished coaster to be. Use your fingers to gently blend the seams of your colors where the strips meet. I like to gently push one color into the next, then push back in the opposite direction, then smooth down the seam to join the surface.

Use your roller to gently roll your coaster in all directions, stretching it a bit. This will blend the strips together more. Place your coaster on parchment paper and bake in the oven according to the clay instructions.

Once your coaster is baked and has completely cooled, use a glaze to seal your clay and allow that to fully dry. To make your coaster a little more official (and to add a little more thickness), you can cut out and hot glue a square of cork to the bottom to finish it off.

As with any of these cute projects, let your imagination get the best of you and create whatever you want. If you like swirls, you can follow the tutorial on marbled swirls here.